The UFC Doesn’t Have to Sign Gina Carano, She’s Already Under Contract

When UFC commentator Joe Rogan appeared on KROQ’s Kevin & Bean Show recently and said there’d be a “huge announcement” about women’s MMA and possibly Ronda Rousey’s next opponent, it started a firestorm of speculation.

Rumors quickly swirled, and predictions were made. The one that caught the most traction was that former Elite XC women’s featherweight champion Gina Carano was going to sign with the UFC and face Rousey.

It turns out, the UFC doesn’t have to sign Carano because she still has four fights left on her Strikeforce contract.

“Gina is under contract,” said UFC president Dana White following the UFC Fight Night 37 post-fight press conference on London on Saturday. “She’s got four fights left on her Strikeforce contract.”

Carano walked away from fighting for a more lucrative career in Hollywood after losing to Cris Cyborg in 2009. In March 2011, UFC’s parent company Zuffa LLC purchased Strikeforce. The doors were closed on the promotion in January 2013.

White recently said that the UFC would be open to Carano fighting if she wanted to return, but admitted on Saturday that he’s never spoken to the former face of women’s MMA about such a return.

“Never once have I talked to Gina Carano. I don’t really know her that well. I met her at a fight one time. She’s sweet. She’s beautiful. I like her. That’s it,” said White. “Never once did I say Gina was coming back. That’s some rumor that got started.”